Location

Lower Farm is located on the edge of Field Dalling, a small unspoilt traditional North Norfolk village about three miles inland from the popular sailing village of Blakeney and Morston.

The neighbouring village of Binham has a village stores, The Chequers public house and ‘The Parlour’, a ‘local gem’ set next to the imposing Priory and serving excellent food and drinks, as well as selling raw milk and a cheese vending machine. Langham is just to the north with the thriving pub, The Bluebell, the boutique hotel and spa ‘The Harper’, and a primary school rated Ofsted outstanding. Morston, on the coastline, has The Anchor public house, a Michelin starred restaurant and sailing and general boating from Morston Quay out to Blakeney pit. There is excellent sailing at various points along the coast, a plethora of restaurants and pubs in the area, seal trips at both Morston and Blakeney and a network of coastal walks through the marshes and beaches with world famous bird watching.

The bustling Georgian town of Holt (about 5 miles) is famous for its boutique shopping including Bakers & Larners, Byfords delicatessen and many independent retailers alongside art galleries, interior shops, antiques and jewellers. The town is fast becoming known for its restaurants too, with Michelin starred ‘Meadowsweet’, and some continental offerings such as the Tapas bar ‘Casa Blancas’ alongside cafes including ‘Two Magpies’ and artisan coffee shops such as ‘Cross Street Union’. The renowned Gresham’s Preparatory and senior schools are on the edge of the town, with further preparatory education at Beeston Hall School near Sheringham.

Description

Brick and flint farmhouses, of a manageable scale, set in 5.6 acres are not particularly common. Less so in this incredibly popular part of North Norfolk, within a few minutes of Blakeney and Morston. Lower Farm, dating back to 1874, is a handsome house, with plenty of the flint synonymous with this part of Norfolk. The south facing façade is pleasingly symmetrical, with casement windows, whilst at the back of the house the distinctive crow stepped dormer windows provide great character.

The house provides a brilliant opportunity for the next custodian to influence the next chapter for the farm. Whilst it has been a much loved home, it would be fair to say there are some areas that would benefit from updating internally, and certainly provides an adaptability, with the tantalising option of joining with the outbuildings to create something very special.

There is a lovely feeling of light in the house, particularly in the dining room with fireplace, and the sitting room which is dual aspect and complete with wood burner. The functional kitchen conveniently joins the utility/boot room, typical of a farmhouse and allowing for the free running of muddy dogs and children before you reach the living rooms. Upstairs, there is a principal bedroom, with en suite shower room, and another double bedroom with en suite shower room. Three further bedrooms are served by the family bathroom.

Outside
With 5.6 acres of land to enjoy, Lower Farm presents a wonderful lifestyle opportunity. The fenced meadows, of which there are four defined areas, could be used for ponies and horses, or sheep, maybe some Kunekune pigs, pigmy goats, or all of the aforementioned. There is a field shelter, and original stabling to help with the keeping of any animals, with plenty of space to create further buildings subject to planning consent being obtained. The land could also be transformed into wild flower meadows, rewilded, planted with trees, all with the omnipresent stream meandering through the land which creates a tranquil and timeless backdrop to it all, and is of course the anchor for all the local wildlife that are seen in the meadows. Cherry trees and willow are dotted throughout the largest of the meadows, with a pond, and a bridge across the stream to the west meadow.

The farm has two entrances. The original entrance is through wrought iron gates into a gravelled courtyard between the house and the outbuildings. A further drive, and most used of the two, is shared with the neighbour, and sweeps round to the back of the outbuildings to a parking and turning area for many cars, and boats. There is not right of access for the neighbour over Lower Farm.

To the west of the house is the garden, mainly laid to lawn that stretches down to the banks of the stream to create a delightful area to sit and ponder, or dine. A south to west facing area next to the house creates a further area to enjoy, making the most of any sun. There are obvious landscaping opportunities with the garden and land.

The traditional outbuildings are charming, with a stand of original stabling, garage, store and workshop, with a later building in brick and flint, creating an arch into the courtyard and a further spacious garage. The buildings have amazing potential, whether used for animals, transformed into a work from home space, pilates studio, art studio, games room or perhaps an annexe, or linked to the main house. This is all subject to the necessary planning consents, but the imagination runs as to what they could become.